Ricky Gervais hints at David Brent return as The Office US set to end

Ricky Gervais has hinted he could make a shock return to The Office as David Brent – perhaps to mark the end of the long-running US version of the series.

Before the American version of the celebrated TV show comes to an end next year, when it has been announced it will sign off after nine series, Gervais could be making a guest appearance as the UK show’s lead character David Brent , a Twitter update from the hit comedian suggests.

Ricky Gervais may be making a return as David Brent in The Office (PA)

The 51-year-old tweeted this morning that he was proud of the success of the transatlantic version, while hinting he may bring back the character that made him a household name.

‘I couldn’t be prouder of the success of the US version of The Office but enough is enough. Might bring this guy back..,’ read the tweet, which also featured a picture of a Brent caricature.

The cryptic message was later deleted from his account, however optimistic fans of Gervais’s cringeworthy office boss were left salivating at the prospect Brent could even return to UK screens with a whole new series.

However, given Gervais’s previous remarks that he and co-writer Stephen Merchant have little desire to revisit their debut hit, this seems unlikely.

The creators behind the US adaptation of The Office managed to get a lot more mileage out of the awkward workplace interactions the show is famed for.

It will come to an end after an eight-year, nine-season run next year due to several key cast members, including star Steve Carell, deciding to leave.

‘We are planning a very big exciting last season,’ executive producer Greg Daniels announced, adding that a lot of familiar faces will be returning.

Whether or not Carell and Gervais will be among them remains to be seen.